Archive for the ‘Physician’ Category

It’s that time of year again. Flu season. Let’s demystify why we get it, how we get it, how to get rid of it, and more importantly how serious is it.

The cause of Influenza is from a virus. There are three types of the Flu virus; Type A, B and C. We become infected with the flu when someone sneezes, or coughs near us, and we breath it in. We can also catch the flu by touching an object like: a door knob, silverware, television remote, computer keyboard, or phone. Then if we touch our nose, eyes, or mouth, there is a good chance we will catch it.

The flu season can start as early as October, usually reaches its peak in February and ends in May. If we are unfortunate enough to get the flu, it usually lasts one to two weeks.

Unfortunately, there is no cure to the flu once you get it. The treatment is just supportive care, to reduce the symptoms, as your immune system fights the influenza virus. Tylenol or Ibuprofen can be used for the headaches, and body aches. An over the counter allergy medication can be used for the runny nose and congestion, and gargling with warm, salty water can help with the sore throat.

To make the warm, salty water for gargling, put 1 tablespoon of table salt in the bottom of a 8 ounce glass. Pour 6 ounces of warm water into your glass. (Never use hot water, you will burn your mouth and throat.) With a spoon stir the salt water mixture until the salt is completely incorporated into the water, then gargle with it a few times every couple hours, until your sore throat is gone. Drink plenty of fluids, like nutritional juices and water, and rest, rest, rest.

So how do you avoid getting the flu?

* Avoid close contact with sick people.

* Wash your hands, often, for 45 seconds, with warm water.

* Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze and cough.
(Sneeze and cough into your bent elbow.)

* Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

* Clean and disinfect surfaces often.

When should you get your flu shot? The earlier, the better. You want you immune system to be able to make enough antibodies to fight the flu virus, if it is exposed to it during the season. Flu shots are offered in September of each year. You should have your flu shot by November. The influenza virus is responsible for 36,000 deaths in the United States each year, and more than 200,000 hospitalizations. Influenza is a serious health issue.

We, at Saltzer Medical Group, wish you Health, and Happiness this Holiday Season.

Dr. Yvette Cressey D.O.

Dr. Cressey practices at our Meridian location, Â next to St. Luke’s Meridian. Â To schedule an appointment with Dr. Cressey call 884-2920

Unfortunately, we will all catch a cold eventually. Colds last one to two weeks, and are self-limiting, (which means they will go away on their own). Children catch more colds than adults, due to their immature immune systems. Colds are not the same as the flu. Flu symptoms are severe, and come on quickly, where as cold symptoms usually take a day or two to get our attention. There is no vaccine, or cure for the cold, since it is caused by many different types of viruses, and colds can be caught any time of the year.

The symptoms of a cold are:

* Runny nose

* Cough

* Sore throat

* Headache

* Congestion

To help with the smptoms:

* Drink more fluids. Fruit Juices, vegetable juices, and water are best.

* Get more rest. Slow down on your normal routine.

* Use a humidifier in your room to moisten nasal and sinus passages.

You can also use saline nasal spray to help.

* Tylenol or Ibuprofen over the counter may be used for the headache.

* For the sore throat, gargle with warm, salty water. To make warm,

salty water, put 1 tablespoon of table salt into an 8 ounce glass and

and add 6 ounces of warm water to the glass. Use a spoon to stir the liquid until all the salt is incorporated into the water. Then gargle. You

can gargle a few times, every hour or two, until the sore throat is gone.

* If your nose gets red and sore from blowing it, you can dab a little Vaseline on it, to sooth it.

* Call your doctor if you have a temperature greater than 104 degrees, you have a stiff neck, you have trouble breathing, or you have severe pain behind your eyes.

To avoid catching a cold, wash your hands often, for at least 45 seconds with very warm water. Make sure you cough and sneeze into your bent elbow, and avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

Do you have a stash of yarn haunting your closet, woodworking tools sitting unused, or a sewing machine gathering dust? As your life has gotten busier, have you set aside crafting because you donâ€™t feel justified taking the time for a â€œleisureâ€ activity?

Personal experience has always told us that crafts and hobbies are enjoyable and relaxing, and research is now showing specific ways they benefit our health.

A Japanese study recently compared groups of people with hobbies and without hobbies. The group with hobbies had healthier blood flow, suggesting that their hearts were healthier and they had a lower risk of heart attacks or heart disease. Another group in London found that individuals who participated in arts events were more likely to engage in other heart-healthy behaviors, such as exercise, healthy eating, and positive mental wellness.

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder where patients eat far too little, and often have a lot of anxiety associated with eating and body image. In 2009 a Canadian group studied the effects of knitting on the treatment of women with anorexia admitted to a treatment center. It was a small study of 38 women, but 74% of the women reported that knitting decreased their fears, had a calming effect, and helped clear their mind of a preoccupation with eating.

Crafts may have specific benefits for older adults. A study of hand dexterity showed an improvement in adults age 60-77 who had a comparatively high level of crafting expertise. Younger adults had good dexterity whether they crafted or not. At least one hour of reading or hobbies a day is associated with a decreased risk of developing dementia.

Project Knitwell (projectknitwell.org) is at the forefront of therapeutic crafting. They have helped study the effects of knitting on nurse burnout, with promising results. They send volunteers into hospitals to teach patients and their family members to knit while recovering and waiting at the bedside. Participants find that knitting gives them something to focus on, allowing them to relax and manage the stress and anxiety of serious illness.

So get out those craft supplies, or take a class to learn a new skill! Crafts and hobbies are good for your mental and physical health.

(For more information: Locally, you can sign of up for classes at Michaels, Hobby Lobby, and the Nampa Rec Center. Online, craftyarncouncil.com/health has information on personal health experiences.)

Megan E. Kasper, MD

Dr. Kasper is an OB/GYN physician.Â To Schedule an appointment with Dr. Kasper, please call 463-3138

Dr. Lundberg completed his family medicine residency in memphit, TN, with special emphasis on caring for the underserved in the Memphis community and abroad.Â His practice encompassed all aspects of health, including physicial, mental, emotional, and spiritual.Â After residency, Dr. Lundberg worked with a few anti-human trafficking organizations in Thailand, along with his wife, who is trained as a counselor. Dr. Lundberg still enjoys praying with patients and discussing the Bible when they wish to do so.Â He and his wife have one energetic son and are expecting their second child.Â They enjoy the Treasure Valley and all it has to offer.Â When not busy with medicine or family activities, Dr. Lundberg enjoys woodworking, drawing, and theoretical physics.

If you have been to your gynecologist recently for your yearly exam you may have been surprised to find that you may not need a Pap for another 3-5 years. For decades women had scheduled their annual gynecological exams with the expectation of having a Pap smear performed. Weâ€™re not able to take the Pap smears to the next level. Cervical cancer screening today includes not only the Pap smear but human papilloma virus (HPV) testing. To understand why this was done and how it works itâ€™s best to get an understanding of the HPV virus.

In the 1980s, it was discovered that cervical cancer and the pre-cancerous cells that resulted in abnormal Pap smears, are due to a cervical infection from the Human papilloma virus (HPV). Further research was able to identify more that 100 HPV strains that can infect human epithelial cells. Approximately 40 of these viruses are specific to the tissue of the lower genital tract. This group can not be divided into both low risk and high risk types. It is this high risk group, consisting of 15 viruses, that is primarily responsible for cervical cancer and it’s precursors. It is for this reason that, after the age of 30, we not have the option to test specifically for these 15 high risk viruses. It is a combination of the information gathered from your Pap smear and the HPV result that helps physicians determine if an abnormality is present, if closer follow-up is needed, or if routine screening is sufficient.

Current guidelines recommend that all women without certain risk factors (i.e. HIV immunosuppression, DES exposure, prior precancerous cervical lesion or cervical cancer) between the age of 21 and 29 have a Pap test every 3 years. Women less than 21 years old no longer are required to have screening. Between the ages of 21 and 29, HPV co-testing is not recommended. Twenty percent of women in this age group have been found to carry the carcinogenic HPV types. Identifying these strains has lead to unnecessary testing and procedures, proven by the fact that most infections resolve spontaneously. (1) Women between the ages of 30 and 65 can be screened every 5 years with both. Pap smear and HPV co-testing, or every 3 years with Pap smear alone. Should any testing return abnormal your physician will discuss with you the next step in this evaluation.

American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology Screening Recommendations 2012

Andrea DiMichele, MD is an OB/GYN at Saltzer Medical Group. You can reach Dr. DiMichele at 463-3138